Alan Woodcock arrested in UK

Alan Woodcock arrested in UK

7 August 2002

New Zealander Alan Woodcock has been arrested on a provisional warrant in England by a member of the Extradition Squad of the Metropolitan Police based at New Scotland Yard.

The former Upper Hutt man is sought for alleged indecencies on male students in the Hutt Valley, Wellington and Palmerston North areas over a three-year period between 1982 and 1985.

Woodcock was returning to England from Greece when he was arrested at Luton Airport around 9am this morning New Zealand time (10pm, Tuesday 6 August British time). He is expected to appear within the next 24 hours at the Bow Street Magistrates Court in London.

Detective Sergeant Murray Porter, Upper Hutt CIB, said the arrest has been a coordinated action between Upper Hutt Police, Wellington District HQ, Interpol Wellington, Interpol London and the London Metropolitan Police.

It’s not known if Woodcock will contest or consent to the extradition.

If he consents to the extradition, he will be escorted back to New Zealand within the next two weeks to answer charges. If he contests extradition, the process could several months as a formal extradition hearing will take place once authenticated documents are forwarded to the United Kingdom. These documents are required to be forwarded once prepared by Police to the Crown Law Office, then through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for formal delivery via Diplomatic Channels in the United Kingdom.

Should extradition be ordered following this hearing then Woodcock would be returned to New Zealand following any 15-day appeal period.

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